An Investigation of Job and Career Counseling Candidates from the Perspective of Diversity Management

Abstract

Abstract In this current study we are examining individuals who are trained for job and career counseling in terms of their ‘attitudes towards diversity’ ‘empathy skills’ and ‘potential for diversity management performance’. In this respect, the relationship between the ‘attitudes towards diversity’ and ‘empathy skills’ of career counselors, who will be working in the personnel selection and placement process, will be investigated. Furthermore, the impact of ‘attitudes towards diversity’ and ‘empathy skills’ on ‘potential for diversity management performance’ will be studied. The differentiating effect of gender on ‘empathy skills’ of individuals who are trained for job and career counseling will also be covered in the research context. The research is conducted on 266 future job and career counselors. Results reveals a positive relationship between ‘potential for diversity management performance’ and ‘empathy skills’ as well as between ‘attitudes towards diversity’ and ‘empathy skills’ of trained counselors. Furthermore, results points out that ‘empathy skills’ and ‘attitudes towards diversity’ significantly predicts ‘potential for diversity management performance’. Additionally a significant gender difference is found to exist in terms of ‘empathy skills’ of individuals. Keywords: Diversity, Diversity Management, Diversity Management Performance, Empathy Skills, Job and Career Counselors, Job and Career Counseling.